Hiking Trails in Redmond, WA: A Local's Guide
Saturday morning in Redmond. You grab your water bottle, lace up your shoes, and head out for a few miles of fresh air without having to turn your weekend into a road trip. Maybe you're looking for a quiet wooded trail or a paved route for a morning walk. Around here, you have options.
Redmond has 59 miles of public trails, connecting neighborhoods, parks, natural areas, and some of the city's most popular destinations. There's a good chance you haven't walked all of them yet, especially if you're still getting settled in Redmond.
Below are the local trails we'd point you to first and what makes each one different. Living here at The Colony at Bear Creek puts most of them within easy reach.
Why Redmond Is a Great Place for Hiking
You don't have to drive into the mountains to find a good trail around Redmond. The city's trail system includes paved paths, soft-surface trails, neighborhood connections, and routes through parks and natural areas. Some are perfect for a quick after-work walk, while others give you enough mileage to make hiking the main event. For our residents, that's part of the appeal. You can choose your trail based on your mood and how much time you have instead of spending half the day getting there.
Looking for a quick walk? There's a route for that.
Want a longer weekend outing? There are trails for that too.
Prefer biking or bringing the family? Many of Redmond's trails accommodate multiple types of recreation.
Education Hill Loop
If you're looking for a local route that gives you a little more distance without turning into an all-day adventure, start with the Education Hill Loop. The three-mile loop combines several local trail segments, including Hartman Park Trails, Abbey Road Nature Trail, and the Puget Power Trail, which you'll also see signed as the PSE Trail. The route includes both compacted gravel and paved sections, giving you a mix of surfaces as you make your way through the area. It's the kind of trail that works well when you want some real exercise and still have plenty of your Saturday left afterward.
Best for: A moderate walk, weekend exercise, and exploring the Education Hill area.
Farrel-McWhirter Park
For a trail day with a little more going on, head to Farrel-McWhirter Park. The 68-acre park includes multi-use trails, natural areas, picnic areas, playgrounds, an animal farm, a horse arena, and an orienteering course. The Farrel-McWhirter Loop itself is about 1.5 miles on a soft-surface trail. That mix makes the park an easy place to build your own outing. Take a walk, wander the park, bring the family, or spend a little longer enjoying the surroundings. The park also connects with the Puget Power Trail, so your walk doesn't necessarily have to end when you finish the loop.
Best for: Families, casual hikes, nature walks, and turning a short hike into a longer afternoon.
Sammamish River Trail and Redmond Central Connector
If "hiking" to you means putting on comfortable shoes and walking for a few miles without worrying about steep terrain, the Sammamish River Trail and Redmond Central Connector should be on your list. This three-mile loop combines the Sammamish River Trail, Redmond Central Connector, and Puget Power Trail.
The Redmond Central Connector is especially convenient because it doesn't feel like you're leaving the city behind. The trail corridor connects areas including Redmond Town Center, Downtown Redmond, the Grass Lawn neighborhood, and the Willows business district. You can get your steps in and still have plenty of options for what to do when you're finished. Grab coffee. Run an errand. Meet a friend for lunch. Or just keep walking.
Best for: Walking, jogging, biking, and exploring Redmond without leaving town.
Puget Power Trail
Ready for something a little longer? The Puget Power Trail runs 3.1 miles and connects the Sammamish River Trail with Farrel-McWhirter Park. Unlike some of Redmond's paved routes, this is a soft-surface trail that accommodates hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding. Redmond's trail system isn't just a collection of short neighborhood walking paths. You can actually connect different parts of the city and build a longer outdoor adventure without getting in the car.
Best for: Longer walks, hiking, biking, and exploring multiple Redmond destinations in one outing.
Redmond Watershed Preserve
Sometimes you don't want to hear traffic. You don't want to run errands. You don't want to check another notification. You just want to walk through the trees for a while. That's where the Redmond Watershed Preserve comes in. The preserve offers soft-surface trails through a more natural setting and is one of the better choices when the goal is simply to slow down and spend some time outside.
Dogs are not permitted at the Watershed Preserve, so check the rules before you bring your four-legged hiking buddy.
Best for: Quiet walks, nature, and getting a break from the busier parts of Redmond.
Downtown Park Tour Loop
Not every hike needs to involve a drive, a backpack, and a carefully planned itinerary. The Downtown Park Tour Loop is about 2.7 miles and takes you through five Redmond parks. It's a great option for those days when you want to get outside but don't necessarily want to commit your entire afternoon to it. Think of it as the local version of a reset button: walk for a few miles and get back home before your weekend disappears.
Best for: Casual walks, exploring local parks, and fitting outdoor time into a busy schedule.
What Should You Bring on a Redmond Hike?
One advantage of hiking around Redmond is that most local outings don't require a trunk full of specialized gear. A few basics will usually do the job.
Water: Keep yourself hydrated, especially on longer walks or warmer days.
Comfortable shoes: Redmond's trails vary from paved paths to gravel and soft surfaces, so comfortable footwear matters.
Weather layers: Pacific Northwest weather can change quickly. A light extra layer is rarely a bad idea.
Your phone: It's useful for maps, directions, and checking trail information before you head out.
Dog supplies: If your destination allows dogs, bring waste bags and follow the posted leash requirements.
And before heading out, check the current rules for the park or trail you're visiting. Not every Redmond trail has the same regulations.
Hiking With Your Dog Around Redmond
For many of our residents, a good trail is even better with a dog. Redmond has several parks and trails where dogs are welcome, but it's important to check the rules for each destination. Some locations have leash requirements, while others have restrictions on dogs altogether.
If you're looking for more places to walk with your pup, check out our guide to dog-friendly parks in Redmond. That way, you can find a route that works for both of you instead of arriving at the trailhead and discovering that your dog needs to stay home.
Making Hiking Part of Your Redmond Routine
The easiest way to get to know Redmond's trails is not to wait for the perfect weekend. Make it part of your routine. Take a short walk after work. Pick a new trail every Saturday. Walk with a friend instead of meeting at a restaurant. Take the dog out for an extra loop. Or use a paved trail to get some exercise while seeing a different part of the city.
With that much trail mileage nearby, you don't have to hike the same route every week. Easy trail access is one of the quieter perks of living in Redmond, and when you live here with us at The Colony at Bear Creek, a walk outside can be part of an ordinary weekday.
Your Next Redmond Trail Is Close By
Redmond's trails cover a lot of ground, from paved routes for an easy few miles to soft-surface loops through the trees. Pick the one that matches the time you have and check the posted rules before you go. We're in the Bear Creek area of Redmond, close to the parks and trails in this guide along with the shopping and restaurants around them. Come home from a morning outside and our pool and other amenities are right here when you're ready to sit still for a while.
If that sounds like your kind of weekend, take a look at our available floor plans or give us a call at (425) 278-4885 and we'll set up a time to show you around.
More local guides live on The Bear Creek Bulletin, so check back before your next Saturday out.
Common Questions About Hiking in Redmond
Are dogs allowed on Redmond trails?
Dogs are welcome at many Redmond parks and trails, but the rules are not the same everywhere. Dogs are not permitted at the Redmond Watershed Preserve, and some other locations have leash requirements, so check the rules for your destination before you head out. Where dogs are allowed, bring waste bags and follow the posted leash rules.
How many miles of trails does Redmond have?
Redmond has 59 miles of public trails. They connect neighborhoods, parks, natural areas, and several of the city's most popular destinations, which means many routes link together into longer walks. The system includes paved paths, soft-surface trails, and neighborhood connections.
What's a good short hike in Redmond?
The Farrel-McWhirter Loop is about 1.5 miles on a soft-surface trail inside a 68-acre park with picnic areas, playgrounds, and an animal farm. The Downtown Park Tour Loop is about 2.7 miles and passes through five Redmond parks. Either one leaves most of your afternoon free.
Which Redmond trail is best for a longer hike?
The Puget Power Trail runs 3.1 miles and connects the Sammamish River Trail with Farrel-McWhirter Park. It is a soft-surface trail that accommodates hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding. Because it links two other destinations, you can build a longer outing without getting in the car.
Do I need special gear to hike in Redmond?
Most Redmond outings do not require specialized gear. Water, comfortable shoes, and a light extra layer for changing Pacific Northwest weather will usually do the job. Check the current rules for the park or trail you're visiting before you go, since regulations vary by destination.